Paper cutter



Jan. 23, 1940. w C, ElCKMAN 2,187,827

PAPER CUTTER Filed Dec. 15, 1937 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 ML fr@ 6. 7m/MAN `Mmmms Jan. 23, 1940. w. c. EICKMAN PAPER CUTTER Filed Dec. l5. 193'/ 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 l i HM f l .mi IW l 67 INVENTOR,

ATTORNEYS Jan, 23, 1940. w. c. r-:lcKMAN 2,187,827

PAPER CUTTER Filed Dec. 15, 1957 4 sheets-sheet s INVENTOR. .56. l0 hn-2 C "/cK/m/Y Jan. 23, 1940. `w. c. ElcKMAN 2,187,827

PAPER CUTTER Filed Deo. l5, 1937 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 f INVENTOR. l

AT ORNEYS y 6.7 ,wf/md w Patented Jan. 23, 1940 y UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Harris- Seybold-Potter Company,

Cleveland.

Ohio, a corporation of Delaware Application December 15, 1937. Serial No. 179,936

18 Claims.

This invention relates to improvementsv in paper cutters, and has to do particularly with spacing mechanism, that is to say mechanism capable of being set up to define or determine 5 the cutting positions for a given series of cuts and to permit a repetition of the same series of cuts any required number of times.

One of the objects of the invention is the provision of mechanism of this kind which shall l be of simple inexpensive character, but sturdy and certain in its operation, as well as accurate and rapid in performance. v

Another object of the invention is the provision of mechanism of the kind stated which may be set up for cuts quite V'close together, thus providing for trim cuts as well as main cuts.

A further object is the provision of means for automatically clearing the stops when a cut is made, so that the operator has nothing to do but to operate the back gauge feed to the next position of cut.

Other objects and features of novelty will appear as I proceed with the description of that embodiment of the invention which, for the purposes of the present application, I have illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which Fig. l` is a side elevational view of a paper cutting machine embodying the invention.

Fig. 2 is a rear end view of the same.

Fig. 3 is a fragmental front view of the cutting machine showingthe spacer controls.

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the spacing mechanism alone.

Fig. 5 is a fragmental plan view of the vertically movable shelf with its guide grooves and stop blocks.

Fig. 6 is an elevational view on a larger scale showing a portion of the spacer mechanism.

Fig. 7 is an elevational view at right angles to Fig. 6 with certain parts in vertical section.

Fig. 8 is a view similar to Fig. 6 but showing the stops cleared and ready for the next advance of the back gauge.

Fig. 9 is a diagrammatic plan of a work piece illustrating a type of work which may be performed on the machine.

Fig. 10 is a diagrammatic plan of a stop block set-up which may be used for the cutting of the work piece illustrated inv Fig. 9.

Fig. 11 is a detail view of a latch which may be employed in connection with the invention.

In the drawings I have shown the invention as applied to a paper cutter of more or less conventional design, comprising frame members I0, a work table I I partially supported by a standard I2, a back gauge I3, and a knife bar I4. In the forward part of the machine there is the usual crank shaft I5 upon which is keyed a bull wheel I6 'with a toothed periphery meshing with a gear Il on a shaft I8 which carries also a larger gear 5 I9 meshing with a pinion 20 on a shaft 20 driven by a motor, not shown. Crank shaft I5 carries at each end a crank pin 2i, one only being illustrated in the drawings, and these crank pins are joined by connecting rods 22 with the ends of l0 the knife bar I4. By means of conventional clutch mechanism, not shown, the crank shaft I5 I may be given a single revolution for causing the knife bar I4 to descend, make its cut, and ascend again to its topmost position.

The back gauge I3 travels in the usual manner upon the table II, being provided with projections 23 which extend downwardly through a slot in the table and are joined to an endless' chain 2B that runs upon forward and rearward sprocket 20 wheels 25 and 26 respectively, supported upon the under side of the table. The forward sprocket wheel 25 is mounted to turn with a hand wheel 21, by means of which the chain is caused to travel for propelling the back gauge forwardly 2li and backwardly.

Along one side of table Il I mount by means of fastenings 28 a plat-e 29 which carries integral guides 30 in which are mounted for vertical movement rods or posts 3|, the upper extremities 30 of which support a shelf 32. Set screws 33 may be utilized to fasten the shelf to the posts, as shown in Fig. 7. In the upper surface of shelf 32 I form a plurality of guide grooves 34, 35, 36 and 3l. Although four such grooves are shown here.. $5 in, a smaller or a greater number may be employed if desired, and in some aspects of the invention a single groove would be sufficient. These grooves are parallel to each other and parallel to the direction of movement of the back '40 gauge and the Work. In one or more of the grooves, depending upon the nature of the work to be done, Iv mount a series of stop blocks 3B, positioning them carefully to mark the different points at which cuts are to be made in the work. I-n order to facilitate the setting of the blocks I provide scales 39 which are inlaid in the upper surface of the shelf adjacent each groove. The grooves are of dovetail shape and the stop blocks are correspondingly shaped, and when set at the properpoints are wedgedupwardly in the grooveby means of set screws lli which extend through the blocks and bear at their lower ends against the bottom of the groove. The rear surface 4I of each block constitutes the stop surface, and is a lil) plane upright surface. it its free or upper end surface il meets an inclined surface Q2 which extends down to the main horizontal portion of the block in which the set screw 6G is mounted.

The shelf .'52 is arranged to move down and up with its posts 3i which, for this purpose, are pivotally connected at their lower ends to cranks e3 on a shaft i4 which is mounted to oscillate in suitable bearings 135 and i5 in the plate 29. Near its rear extremity this shaft is provided with a crank 4l which is connected by a link iii with a crank 49 on another rock shaft 50 that is mounted at one end in a bearing 5i carried by plate 29 and forwardly in a. further bearing, not shown, carried by the frame IB of the machine. This shaft 50 has keyed thereto a crank 52 provided with a roller 53 at its outer end adapted to run upon a cam 56 which is screwed or otherwise suitably attached to the inner side of the bull wheel l5. This cam is positioned at the top of the wheel when the latter is in its state of rest, that is when the knife is in its uppermost position. The cam is so shaped that its central portion raises roller thereby turning shafts 5B and #le to raise shelf 32. On the other hand, when the wheel i5 turns so as to move cam out of engagement with iollower 53 shelf 32 descends by gravity to its lowermcst position, indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 7.

The support for the upper stop mechanism comprises a bracke which is secured by bolts 55 or the like to the horizontal part of back gauge i3 rearwardly of the gauging surface of the latter. This bracket includes an elongated boss 5? in which a shaft 58 is mounted for oscillation as well as for limited longitudinal moyement. One end of this shaft is enlarged. as best illustrated in Fig. 7, and is provided with radial bores into which t plungers 53. Each of these plungers is provided with a transverse pin 50 that takes into an elongated socket 6l in the shaft enlargement, by means of which the plunger is prevented from turning and its movement in a downward direction limited. Each plunger is backed by a coil spring 62 that normally holds it down in its lowermost position but yields when upward pressure is exerted upon the plunger.

The lower ends of plunger 59 constitute stops 53 which have forward iiat surfaces 54 adapted to cooperate with the rearward stop surfaces of the stop blocks 38. The stops S3 also have rearward inclined surfaces 55 which at times engage the inclined surfaces 42 on the stop blocks, see

Fig. 8. The stops 63 are free to ratchet them' selves over the stop blocks 42 when the back gauge travels rearwardly.

After the machine has made a cut the two stops 83 take a position somewhat as illustrated in Fig. 8. At this time the shaft 58 has been turned anti-clockwise as far as it will go, this turning of the shaft having been effected by a coil spring 66 working against a. plunger 61 that bears upon an abutment 68 formed in the extremity of a horizontal extension 69 on bracket 55. This spring and plunger are carried in a bracket 10 formed upon the enlarged end of shaft 58. The oscillation of the shaft in this direction is limited by the engagement of an ear 1I carried by the shaft with the lower side of extension 69, as-shown in Fig. 8. Now, when the operator moves the back gauge forward the flat surface 64 of stop 63 presently comes in contact with the rear hat surface 4I of the next stop 38. This causes the shaft 58 to rotate clockwise against the pressure of spring 66 until the movement is alsmaar stopped by the end of a set screw i2 engaging abutment 58. This set screw is also mounted in brackets i@ and is arranged to be locked in adjusted position by means of -a lock nut i3. It will be apparent therefore that the shaft 58 ls under a constant tendency to turn in an anti-clockwise direction, but that it is swung clockwise whenever a stop block is encountered and thereby brought up to an angular position in which the forward or engaging surface of stop 53 stands vertical.

I have provided means for bringing each stop 63 into any one of three transverse positions, that is over either one of two adjacent grooves or over a. path intermediate the grooves. rlhe intermediate position is shown in Fig. 7. If the shaft is shifted inwardly from this position the stops 53 will come into paths above the grooves 34 and 35. On the other hand if it is shifted outwardly from the intermediate position, the stops 53 will come into paths above the grooves 35 and 3l.

For the purpose of moving shaft 5B longitudinally without interfering with its rocking motion, i mount a pin 'ibi in the enlargement of the shaft and cause it to extend rearwardly, ,where it is straddled by a bifurcated arm formed as a crank upon a shaft i5 which extends loosely through the bracket 55 and is provided with a splined groove for the reception of a sliding key li in the arm l5. The hub of the arm is relatively long and is confined between extension 89 and a second extension 'i8 on the bracket. By this means the crank arm is constrained to move with the bracket 55. The shaft '1B is mounted in bearings i9 and 80 carried by plate 29. Near its forward end this shaft carries a crank i with the end of which a link 82 is connected. This link extends downwardly to a crank 83 on a shaft Bil which is journaled in the machine in alignment with shaft 44, but is in no way connected therewith. At the forward end of this shaft 35 in a position readily accessible to the operator there is a crank handle 85 by means of which the shaft may be turned to impart similar turning movement to shaft '16.

In order to releasably lock the shaft 85S in any one of its three operative positions, I secure thereupon a segmental plate 8G provided with three notches il'l, see Fig. 4, with which a spring detent 88 cooperates. Hence, by shifting handle 85 to bring any one of the three notches into engagement with the detent, shaft 'I6 may be turned to shift shaft 58 lengthwise so as to bring the stops 53 to any one of three different transverse positions, and the position of the detent definitely indicates the transverse position of the stops.

To prevent accidental movement of lever 85 too far in one direction, I attach a disk 89 to one end of shaft 58 by means of a machine screw 90 or the like. Movement of the shaft too far in the opposite direction is prevented by the enlarged end portion of the shaft coming into contact with the boss 51.

Operation-If the work to be done calls for a series of cuts none of which are very close together, the operator merely sets a series of stop blocks in one of the grooves, 31 for example, to define the positions for the various cuts, utilizing the adjacent scale 39 on' the shelf 32 for the setting of the blocks. Then he operates wheel 21 to move the back gauge I3 to the rear end of the table. A stack of sheets is then placed in position in front of the gauge. The operator shifts handle 85 to bring the forward stop 63 over groove 31, and advances the back gauge until the stop carried by the latter comes into gauging position with the first stop block 38. 'I'he main clutch is then engaged by the operator in order to produce a revolution of crank shaft l5, which causes the lmife to descend, make its cut, and again ascend to the position illustrated in the drawings. In this action of the knife mechanism the roller 53 on crank 52 runs oif cam 54, which permits gravity to lower shelf 32. As soon as downward movement ofthe shelf has proceeded far enough the gauging surface of stop block 38 leaves the gauging surface of stop 63, and the latter stop is then free to swing forward under the force exerted by spring 66 to the position indicated in Fig. 8. When the cut has been made and the knife has again ascended nearly to the top of its stroke, cam 54 again engages roller 53 and the shelf 32 is lifted to its normal position illustrated in Figs. 6 and 8, and in Fig. 7 in full lines. When the shelf rises the inclined surface 42 of stop block 38 will be positioned behind the inclined surface 85 of stop 63. All this, it will be observed, is automatic. The operator then merely moves the back gauge forward with the upper stop mechanism remaining as illustrated in Fig.' 8, until the stop 63 strikes the rear side of the next stop block in the groove, when the mounting foi` the upper stop will swing upon its shaft 68 until stopped by set screw 12, which will occur at approximately the same time as the gauge surfaces 64 and 4| come together, preventing any further travel of the back guage. This brings they work into the next cutting position, and the procedure is repeated until all of the desired cuts have been made.

When some of the cuts to be made are trim cuts it is necessary to set up some of the stop blocks in a different groove because it is physically improssible to bring them close enough together in the same groove. For this type of work it is most convenient to utilize alternate grooves 34 and 36 or grooves 35 and 31, because then it is not necessary to operate handle 85 execpt to bring the stops to intermediate position, should it be desired to move the back gauge forwardly independent of the stops. Usually all of the stops defining main cuts will be set up in one groove and all of those defining trim cuts in the other.

Sometimes it is desirable to maintain in the machine set-ups for two different series vof cuts. In this event stop blocks for one series of cuts are set up in grooves 34 and 36 and stop blocks for the other series in grooves 35 and 31.- The'n. to shift from one series of cuts to the other, the operator is required to do nothing more than to "throw hand lever 85 from one extreme position to the other.

In still other cases the work may require the making of more than two cuts close together, in which event it is necessary to utilize three or vfour of the guide grooves, although there may sheets bound along one edge 9| with a cloth or paper binding, the sheets being printed as a series of bank check books or the like. The cuts for this piece of work, in the order in which they are to be made, are numbered I to XI inclusive. The pad is first arranged on the table with the bound edge 8i against the back gauge at a distance of six inches from the cutting line, to make the cut I. The back gauge is then drawn to the rear and the pad turned around to bring one end edge 92 against the back gauge. Cuts II to X inclusive are then made consecutively. It is impractical to make cut XI with edge 8| against the back gauge. Accordingly the operator turns the pad through 180 to bring the cut edge X against the gauge, after which cut XI is made at a distance of five and one-quarter inches from the back gauge. It will be noted that four cuts, I, IX, X and XI, are made with a space of only one-quarter inch between adjacent cuts.

The stop blocks for this series oi cuts may be set up however on my spacer apparatus as indicated diagrammatically in Fig. 10. With the shaft 58 shifted to bring the stops 63 over grooves 35 and 31 the back gauge is causedto travel forward until stopped by the stop block for cut I in groove 35. 'I'hat cut is made. The operator then moves the back gauge to the rear of the table, and throws the shaft 58 inwardly to bring the stops over grooves 34 and 36. He thereupon proceeds to make cuts II to X inclusive by gauging against the stop blocks for those cuts in grooves 34 and 36, as indicated in the ligure. For the last cut, XI, he must again reverse his hand lever 85 so that the single stop block in groove 31 will lie in the path of the outer stop 63. This cut can be made without retracting the back gauge, since it is one-half inch in advance of cut I, the stop for which is in the twin groove 35, but if the operator prefers to retract the back gauge more than six inches beyond the line of cut he can jump the stop block for cut I by an idling movement of the knife or by shifting the vhandle 85 to intermediate position until the stop be held up above the level of the stop blocks 36.

Thus, while the left-hand stop 63 in Fig. 7 for example is lowered to operative'position it may be caused to function with the stop blocks in either of the two grooves 34 and 35, and then by hooking up this stop and lowering the other one for use in connection with the stop blocks in grooves 36 and 31, two further series of cuts may be made. of the pins 60 is illustrated in Fig. 11.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. In a machine of the class described, a stop movable with the work, a stop fixed with respect to the Work travel, said stops being adapted to engage each other when the work is advanced to a desired stop position and being movable relatively toward and away from each other in a direction at right angles to the workv travel, and means tending to tilt one of said stops to swing its free end into` position to jump the stop surface of the other stop as soon as said relative right angle movement permits, whereupon the work may be advanced beyond the said stop position.

2. In a machine of the class described, a stop movable with the work, a stopfixed with respect to the work travel, one of said stops hav- The latched-up position of one ing an inclined surface meeting its stop surface at the free extremity of the latter, said stops being movable relatively toward and away from each other in a direction at right angles to the work travel, means tending to tilt one of said stops so that when said relative right angle movement permits said inclined surface engages the free extremity of the other stop, and means set in motion by-each operation upon the work for moving said stops in a direction at right angles to the direction of work travel away from each other and back again.

3. In a machine of the class described, spacing means comprising a guide arranged parallel to the direction of work travel, a series of stop blocks mounted in said guide, a stop arranged to cooperate with said stop blocks one after another to gauge the positions of the work for a series of operations thereupon, said guide and stop being movable relatively toward and away from each other, and means tending to tilt said stop to swing its free extremity to a position clearing the adjacent stop block as soon as said relative movement permits, whereupon the work may be advanced to the next operating position.

4. In a machine of the class described, a stop movable with the work, a stop fixed with respect to the work travel, said stops being adapted to engage each other when the Work is advanced to a desired stop positon and being movable relatively toward and away from each other in a direction at right angles to the work travel, means tending to tilt one of said stops to swing its free end into positon to clear the stop surface of the other stop as soon as said relative right. angle movement permits, whereupon the work may be advanced beyond the said stop position, and a cushion for one of said stops permitting it to yield in a direction approximately at right angles to the direction of work travel.

5. In a machine of the class described, spacing means comprising a guide arranged parallel to the direction of work travel, a series of stop blocks moun n said guide, a stop arranged to cooperate wi said stop blocks one after another to gauge the positions of the work for a series of operations thereupon, a spring for holding said stop in extended position, and means for shifting said stop and spring sidewise out of alignment with said guide, whereby it may be moved in either direction parallel with said -guide past said stop blocks.

6. In a machine of the class described, spacing means comprising a pair of guides arranged parallel to the direction of work travel, a series of stop blocks mounted in each of said guides, a stop arranged to cooperate with the stop blocks in either one of said guides to gauge different positions of the work for a series of operations thereupon, and means for shifting said stop transversely to bring it into alignment with either one of said guides.

7. In a machine of the class described, spacing means comprising a pair of guides arranged parallel to the direction of work travel, a series of stop blocks mounted in each of said guides, a stop to cooperate with the stop blocks in either one of said guides for gauging different positions of the work for a series of operations thereupon, said guides being spaced apart a distance greater than the width of said stop, means for shifting said stop transversely into alignment with either one of saidguides or into a path between said guides, and means for yieldngly holding the stop in any one of its three transversely spaced positions.

8. In a cutting machine, a back gauge, knife operating mechanism, a guide arranged parallel with the direction of travel of the back gauge, a series of stop blocks mounted in said guide, a stop to cooperate with said stop blocks one after another to gauge the positons of the work for a series of cuts, and means set in motion by the knife operating mechanism to move said guide bodily away from said stop and back again,

whereby the back gauge is released for forward travel and said guide with its stop blocks is returned to position for gauging.

9. In a cutting machine, a back gauge, knife operating mechanism, a stop carried by said back gauge, a guide arranged parallel to the direction of gauge travel, a series of stop blocks mounted in said guide, means tending to move said stop forward a short distance in the direction of gauge travel independently of said back gauge, and means set in motion by each operation of said knife mechanism for moving said guide and said stop away from each other relatively in a direction transverse to the gauge travel and back again, whereby the said stop jumps the adjacent stop block and returns to operative position.

10. In a cutting machine, a back gauge, knife operating mechanism, a stop carried by said back gauge having a forward positon and a rearwai i gauging position, a guide arranged parallel with the direction of gauge travel', a series of stop blocks mounted in said guide, yieldable means tending to move said stop automatically to its forward position, and means set in motion by each operation of said knife mechanism for moving said guide and said stop away from each other relatively in a direction transverse to the gauge travel and back again, permitting the stop to assume its forward position in advance of the stop block.`

ll. In a cutting machine, a table, a back gauge, knife operating mechanism, said table and back gauge respectively carrying stop elements adapted to enga-ge each other to define a cutting position,

means set in motion by the operation of the knife mechanism for separating said engaged stop elements by relative movement inthe plane of their engagement and bringing them together again, and means for causing one of said elements to move automatically in their path of relative travel to jump the other element as soon as said separation takes place, whereby the stops are cleared for further gauge travel.

l2. In a cutting machine, a back gauge, knife operating mechanism, a vertically movable shelf having a guide therein parallel to the direction of back gauge travel, a series of stop blocks mounted in said guide, a stop carrier mounted on the back gauge, a stop in said carrier adapted to cooperate with the stop blocks, means set in motion by the operation of the knife mechanism for moving said shelf down to bring the stop blocks below the level of the carrier stop and then up again, and means independent of the gauge movement for moving said carrier automatically to shift its stop forward as soon as the downward movement of the shelf disengages the stop from a stop block, whereupon the stops are cleared for further forward movement of the back gauge.

13. In a cutting machine, a back gauge, knife operating mechanism, a vertically movable shelf having two guides therein parallel to the direction of gauge travel, a series of stop blocks mounted in each of said guides, a rock shaft carried by the gauge overhanging said shelf, a stop mounted in said shaft, means for shifting the shaft lengthwise to bring its stop into position above either one of said guides, means tending to rock the shaft automatically to swing the stop forward, and means set in motion by the operation of said knife mechanism for moving said shelf down to lower the stop blocks out of the path of said stop and for moving the shelf up again.

14. In a cutting machine, a back gauge, knife operating mechanism, a vertically movable shelf having a guide therein parallel to the direction of gauge travel, a series of stop blocks mounted in.

said guide, a rock shaft carried by the back gauge overhanging said shelf, a stop mounted in said shaft, means for shiftingthe shaft lengthwise to bring its stop into position above said guide or to one side thereof, means tending to rock the shaft automatically to swing the vstop forward, and means set in motion by the operation of said knife mechanism for moving said shelf down to lower said stop blocksout of the path of said stop and for moving it up again.

15. In a machine of the class described, a stop movable with the work, a stop fixed with respect to work travel, said stops being adapted to engage yeach other when the work is advanced to a desired stop position, means for moving said stops relatively away from and` toward each other in quick succession in a direction at right angles to the work travel, and spring actuated means tending to move one of said stops into position to jump the stop surface of the other stop as soon as said relative right angle movement permits, whereupon the work may be advanced beyond the stop position.

16. In a machine of the class described, a pair of' guides rigidly connected together and arranged parallel to the direction of work'travel. a series of stop blocks mounted in each of said guides, a stop adapted to cooperate with the stop blocksineither oneofsaldguid,mcansfor moving said guides and stop, relatively toward and away from each other for causing the stop to clear the stop blocks oi' a guide one after another in sequence as the work is advanced to different operating positions, and means for moving said stop and guides relatively in a direction at right angles to the guides to shift the stop from operative relation with one of said guides into operative relation with the other guide.

17. In a machine of the class described, two work gauging elements one of which consists of a pair of guides rigidly connected together and arranged parallel to the direction of Work travel, and the other of which consits of a stop, stop blocks mounted in each of said guides, the stop blocks of either guide being adapted to cooperate with said stop for gauging the work, means for moving one of said gauge elements toward and away from the other for causing the stop to clear the stop blocks of a guide one after another in sequence, following the advancement of the work to different operating positions, and means for moving the other of said gauging elements in a direction at right angles to the said movement of the first element to cause said stop to be brought into operative relation with either one of the said guides.

18. In a machine for gauging a series of positions of work traveling intermittently in a given direction, two Work gauging elements one of which consists of a guide arranged parallel to the direction of work travel and having a series of stop blocks adjustably mounted therein, and the .other of which consists of a stop adapted to cooperate with said blocks for gauging the work, one of said gauging elements being movable with the work and the other being stationary, and means for adjusting said stop to a slight extent in the direction of work travel, whereby the whole series of work positions may be moved a like amount in the direction of work travel.

WALTm C. BECKMAN. 

